Wednesday, March 14, 2007

 

ASSA & some misconceptions


The Animal Sheltering Services Act has received overwhelming support. That support has come from legislators, animal shelter leadership around the state, and organizations such as the NM Municipal League and the NM Animal Control Association.

As with most bills there has been opposition as well. We have heard from some people that have concerns about the repercussions of the state-level board (ASSB) that will be created. It seems that some of these concerns would be alleviated if the bill were read… I know, I know—word of mouth is easier than actually reading the 23-page bill.

Here is what I’ve been hearing:

• “The ASSA puts an undue financial burden on municipalities and counties as they implement the established standards.”
The ASSB will establish voluntary standards for shelters. Not mandatory. Voluntary.

• “ The ASSB will be packed with animal rights activists.”
The nine members will be appointed by the Governor.
Those members are outlined very specifically in the bill. Here are the groups that will be represented: NM Municipal League, NM Association of Counties, veterinary community, rescue organizations, domestic pet breeding community, animal advocacy community, the general public, and the animal shelter community (with those shelter representatives having specialized experience in operations and euthanasia).

• “ The ASSA puts shelter operations in the hands of animal rights groups”
Currently, when shelters seek guidance, they contact the following groups: HSUS and APNM. These groups will come out and provide an evaluation. The HSUS consultation is very thorough and comes with a high price tag. APNM comes out on a more informal basis as time and staff resources allow.

After the Animal Sheltering Services Board is created, there will be another option for shelters. APNM won't be the only in-state organization available for shelter consultations. HSUS will still be the desired evaluation tool for some communities. But by and large, the ASSB will provide the guidance so necessary in our sheltering community.

• “HSUS is the only group that provides euthanasia training. Training should be provided by the AVMA.”
HSUS does not provide euthanasia training. AVMA does not provide euthanasia training.

The groups that DO offer humane euthanasia training are: American Humane Association, National Animal Control Association, and the University of Missouri. These three groups have offered this vital training in New Mexico within the past year.

• “ASSA is paving the way for statewide mandatory spay-neuter.”
I know this bill inside and out… I just can’t find anything in the text that implies some backdoor trick for mandatory s/n. The ASSA does create a fund that could accept s/n appropriations. It does give the board the power and duty to work with communities on s/n programs. The nine member ASSB certainly has not power to implement mandatory s/n.

The bottom line is this:
The time has come for companion animals to have a place in our state government. They deserve to be compassionately cared for while being housed at shelters, and treated with dignity if their lives must end. And the people who take on the difficult job of working at shelters deserve some help, too.





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